tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85466991284903395372012-01-28T12:15:44.379+01:00Sarahnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-28087440465423725342011-12-05T02:35:00.006+01:002011-12-05T02:55:33.140+01:00

Hello everyone! The little bird just recently underwent an additional surgery! In the nearby village of Pette, a visiting maxillofacial surgical team repaired a small defect, or hole just under Aissa's right eye. Below is the email message sent by Andy, a missionary at the Meskine hospital. "Just to keep you updated. Aissa went back to Mouda today. Carsten(the surgeon at the Meskine

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-13903462108938090172011-01-26T22:00:00.008+01:002011-01-26T22:34:00.742+01:00

Each year Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky hosts the Global Missions Health Conference. One of the largest medical missions conferences in the nation, it exists to inform, train, and equip health care professionals and students to use their medical skills on both the international and domestic mission field. This November I was invited to attend on behalf of MCWA. Along with

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-22225459358132424472011-01-26T21:51:00.003+01:002011-01-27T04:37:46.507+01:00

The little bird is doing so well! After moving to the Bethlehem Foundation orphanage this July, she quickly settled into her new home :) She started school in September and recently enjoyed a successful visit to her village over Christmas. Thank you for your prayers! The little madam sporting a new butterfly t-shirt and her little sister, Aissatou.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-39291225704002085302010-07-30T21:52:00.004+02:002010-07-30T22:00:21.233+02:00

Below is Andy's most recent email update on Aissa; "Kari and I took Aissa and her sister to the Bethlehem Foundation today. As we walked up to her house in her village she ran to greet us. Both her sister and her seemed very happy to leave - Aissa had lost some more weight but was otherwise in good health. They were warmly greeted at Mouda and we left them without any tears, looking a little

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-32202226970967426672010-07-16T23:11:00.003+02:002010-07-16T23:16:57.761+02:00

Below is the email message I received from Andy, one of our MCWA missionaries after his visit to Aissa's village this afternoon. Emmanuel is the social worker from the Bethlehem Foundation where we hope to send Aissa to school. "I went to Aissa's village today. Aissa is doing well, her ear infection has cleared up on its own and her face is healing really well but she is looking a lot thinner

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-6647885067329904692010-07-01T23:12:00.003+02:002010-07-01T23:18:02.896+02:00

Hello friends and family, I received an email this week from Andy and Kari, fellow missionaries in Meskine. Apparently the nurse who was hired to visit Aissa's village found that her skin infection had cleared nicely and her arm circumference had remained stable. This means that she has not lost any more weight in the past two weeks. This news is so encouraging, thank you for your prayers.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-4277200709763276792010-06-16T20:39:00.000+02:002010-06-16T20:40:40.231+02:00

Hello friends and family. I know you are all waiting to hear the final plan for Aissa’s future. Thank you for your patience. Our team is making this decision carefully, understanding the full impact it will have on her entire life. We are praying to know the will of God and are looking at this situation from all possible angles. It has not been easy, but this process is necessary. After our

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-55382107280855063582010-06-16T20:20:00.005+02:002010-06-16T20:38:10.794+02:00

Thank you Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek! Your boxes arrived right on time and I was able to assemble and distribute your goodies to the pediatrics ward before leaving Cameroon! Thanks to your generosity, each package consisted of crayons, color pages, candy, a toy, hair pretties and an additional item such as a toothbrush or stickers:-) Aboubakar is 5 years old. Last year, he swallowed lye

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-89418058521956285652010-06-15T20:03:00.005+02:002011-01-27T04:50:57.050+01:00

To bike or not to bike, that was the question… I had recruited Kerri one of our missionaries who speaks fluent Fulfulde to help me say goodbye to my language tutors who live in the village. Now, how to get to her house? The roads were likely to be muddy from rain the night previous and I was way out of practice with this particular mode of transportation! In the end I decided to be brave. I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-82110178298250471392010-06-14T23:51:00.004+02:002010-06-14T23:57:41.416+02:00

I got a package in the mail today. In that package was an envelope marked "for Sarah Root"... And in that envelope was a lovely necklace made for me by one of my favorite cutie pies:-) Thanks sweet Zoe, you made my day. I'll be home to hug you and your little blondie sisters soon... The blondies, clockwise from Zoe in the pink is Cari, Sarah and Emma.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-9650924165154981182010-06-11T13:35:00.006+02:002010-06-11T23:59:22.754+02:00

This morning I took a trip to the "Bethlehem Foundation", a local Catholic orphanage. I spoke with Sister Rosa, the director of the facility as well as their social worker and one of the nurses who works on site. I shared with them Aissa’s story, from her arrival at our hospital in May, 2009 to her reconstructive surgery in Togo. I showed them my photos of her miraculous recovery and asked if

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-46582884092167327482010-06-10T00:25:00.013+02:002010-06-12T01:05:03.618+02:00

We visited Aissa today. After driving over an hour on serpentine roads and crossing many dry riverbeds, the scenery began to look the same and I was thoroughly lost. Fortunately Andy who was driving had his bearings and we finally parked and walked to Aissa’s home. The area where she lives is quite pretty, the huts are all huddled together and constructed of smooth earth and stones, and the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-15074720556343135202010-05-31T20:13:00.008+02:002010-05-31T20:31:00.697+02:00

Aissa went home. Saturday morning, one day after our arrival from Togo, Aissa came bounding into the compound, proudly wearing the new granny-apple green dress that had been made for this very occasion. She was excited to return to her village, and while the adults talked, she rode on the swing, asking to be pushed higher and higher still. Jean was given instructions on Aissa’s mouth hygiene

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-11546387006033766082010-05-28T22:45:00.003+02:002010-05-28T22:57:34.176+02:00

How can I thank you? What can I say that would express the love I have for all of you, my brothers and sisters? Your prayers were a tangible presence every step of the journey this past month. God honored them all. What a blessing you are to me. Thank you for being my Aaron and my Hur, for holding my arms up when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own. Together, we have brought the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-14530311721867680972010-05-28T22:31:00.007+02:002010-05-29T00:47:09.209+02:00

Well the little bird made it home safely. Hallelujah. After spending Thursday saying goodbye to precious friends, we loaded my duffel into the Land Rover and headed to the hospitality center to fetch the baby girl. Turns out, the chauffer who works at the center didn’t quite understand and drove Jean and Aissa to the airport alone while we were on our way to pick them up! Oops, they wouldn’t

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-69626081060437105622010-05-26T20:44:00.001+02:002010-05-26T20:46:00.234+02:00

The little bird was scheduled for her last post-op appointment this Monday. So, Monday morning I made my way to the hospital to find out when she would arrive. I bumped into a nurse who informed me that Aissa was in fact standing outside the ship, on the dock that very moment, throwing a fit. Oh boy. So I hurried to the dock and sure enough the little madam was so upset that she couldn’t

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-84779196823882712142010-05-20T00:33:00.003+02:002010-05-20T00:38:43.367+02:00

I’ve been thinking of my mama this week. This portion of Mercy Ships outreach to Togo has been focused on maxillofacial and plastic surgery. Since Monday, I have been working in the admissions tent, welcoming those patients who are scheduled to receive an operation. Each morning they arrive with their physical and emotional scars, the grown woman who lost her lips to childhood NOMA, the teenage

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-37951537881598926712010-05-18T21:51:00.001+02:002010-05-18T21:53:23.426+02:00

Bed 6 of A ward is now empty. This Saturday, Aissa’s medical team decided to release her to the hospitality center, a transitional unit in town for post operative patients. So after one full month on the Africa Mercy she slipped into her best dress and plastic bead necklace and we packed her bags. She was a bit insecure, running to me and hugging my waist, lingering there for a moment, her

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-45189155170270581042010-05-16T14:56:00.001+02:002010-05-17T00:46:34.049+02:00

Last week, during the little bird’s dressing change the ophthalmologist/eye surgeon came to examine the remaining small opening in her skin graft, just under her eye. He believes that rather than try to close this area with a stitch, it should be left to close on its own, thereby decreasing the scar tissue formation and the pull on the lower eyelid. In addition, he thinks that her cornea is out

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-12470638364278900512010-05-16T14:40:00.003+02:002010-05-16T14:44:46.055+02:00

My heart is breaking for Suzanne. Suzanne was admitted to our hospital approximately one year ago with a mysterious skin disease. The medications in our limited arsenal did nothing as the lesions ravaged her body. Within a period of months, her arms and legs were covered with stubborn open ulcers that refused to heal and her face erupted with thickened patches of blackened crusts. She has

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-33453633301779179622010-05-08T13:57:00.003+02:002010-05-08T14:05:51.322+02:00

Hello everyone, Aissa is doing very well. There is a huge crowd of kiddos in her ward and just this morning she was singing songs and playing kickball with the whole gang. The wound care specialists currently caring for her tell me that she is healing well. There is one small corner of her skin graft that has pulled loose, leaving a bit of exposed muscle, but they are optimistic that this

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-43577145390514035812010-05-08T13:52:00.001+02:002010-05-08T13:55:12.660+02:00

Aissa is learning English. Most afternoons on my way around the ship, people stop me to tell me about the activities of our little bird. Everyone seems to have a story about her joy, her courage, some new phrase she learned, how smart and clever she is and they take the time to share. Today, Aissa learned to say ‘I love you’. She exuberantly exclaimed this to all within hearing distance as

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-26032024844810865612010-05-01T19:59:00.005+02:002010-05-01T20:04:49.495+02:00

Hello everyone, I am sure you can't wait to see Aissa's sweet new face. I can't wait to show it to you. However, she is now in the initial stages of healing, and while all is going very well, I won't be sharing the images of her new cheek just yet. It will only get better and better. Remember what is promised to those who wait...

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-14801381703688490272010-05-01T19:51:00.005+02:002010-05-01T20:07:58.476+02:00

Day 5 post op had finally arrived. The time had come to unwind the long bandage wrapped around Aissa’s head to get a glimpse of what lie beneath. Given her fiery personality and strong will, the original plan was to sedate the little madam in order to keep her and her wound safe. However, the team decided to attempt the dressing change without medicating her, and she was amazing. Decked out

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-63165730074261582982010-05-01T19:45:00.005+02:002010-05-17T00:46:18.606+02:00

As soon as the girls saw me, their faces lit up in recognition. They ran, tackling me around the waist and didn’t let go for the next hour. Despite the heat, they lounged on my lap, tucked themselves into the curve of my arm, rested their heads on my shoulder or knee. They occupied every inch of my free space. Maison Bethel is a Catholic orphanage here in Lome. Bathed in sunlight, murals

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-47339616686189910132010-04-27T21:24:00.005+02:002010-04-30T13:52:52.143+02:00

Meltdown, yikes. Aissa’s screams rang through the corridor of the hospital, clearly heard even though the doors to her ward were shut. It appears that after 48 straight hours of vomiting, our girl’s appetite had returned and she was ready to eat. However, orders are that she have nothing by mouth at least until tomorrow…and she was not pleased. After spending the past 3 days curled into a

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-59601449722900840122010-04-24T00:50:00.010+02:002010-04-25T12:29:50.475+02:00

Aissa’s surgery was scheduled for this morning. I arrived in her ward early. She had just woken up and was chatting with the nurses while dressed in her children’s gown and the plastic bead necklace she made in arts and crafts. We convinced her to change into something that fit her a little better, and she began to happily show me the pages she had finished in her coloring book. Then it

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-56268656224572802942010-04-19T22:38:00.002+02:002010-04-19T22:41:54.801+02:00

Poor baby. Our courageous little bird is struggling to acclimate to life in a hospital ward. After months of having the run of the village with little or no supervision or discipline, being corralled in a hospital unit day after day is excruciating. In his new and strange environment, surrounded by new people, a new language and patients with frightening facial disfigurements, her wings are

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-51513240029522811692010-04-15T17:00:00.005+02:002010-04-24T01:39:59.196+02:00

It began with breakfast. Aissa wanted chocolate and only chocolate on her bread. She pushed and whined and reached and grabbed until I got her what she wanted. Immediately afterward, she began to pull off her dress, saying it was dirty. I tried to get her to wait until we were in the room rather than stripping down in the middle of the dining room, but nothing doing. She was naked in less

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-71953383236477030112010-04-14T22:45:00.003+02:002010-04-15T11:43:29.667+02:00

Journal entry 14th April, 2010 Today it was time for a little adventure. After almost two full days in the Catholic mission, I was afraid the troops were getting restless, so I packed us up and we forayed out into the wild world to find the ice cream shop! Aissa put on her best dress, at which point everyone exclaimed “Oh, she’s a girl!?”. With her shaved head and lack of earrings, the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-46115935709207017982010-04-14T22:43:00.001+02:002010-04-14T22:45:29.344+02:00

Dinnertime and I was so worried. We were eating in a big group, what if Aissa misbehaved? What if she couldn’t eat the food? What if she didn’t like it? What if she began to reach out and grab what she wanted instead of being patient? What if she screamed and threw a fit? Would she and Jean know how to eat with silverware? Then, to my horror, the meal was served in courses, with the soup

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-47955251369363283882010-04-14T22:39:00.003+02:002010-04-15T11:53:23.454+02:00

Journal entry April 12th, 2010; Well today was the big day. I woke early and went about finishing up the last minute projects that are inherent to a big trip. All our bags packed, I headed over to the hospital to find Aissa. Many of my colleagues approached me, wishing me blessed travels, excited that the time had finally come for us to go. We shook hands and exchanged smiles, Aissa was the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-49764779474265258482010-04-11T18:22:00.003+02:002010-04-11T18:27:49.182+02:00

After our devotional time together this morning, the team gathered around me and prayed. They thanked the Lord for the time that we have been together, for all that God has taught me, for the way he is setting me free. We praised that Lord that while the work has been difficult, he has been faithful, we praised him that I have never been alone. Placing the trip into God’s hands, we asked him

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-90924017989335144412010-04-09T18:57:00.000+02:002010-04-09T18:59:13.251+02:00

Today Andy went to Aissa’s village to pick up her Uncle Jean. They found him with no trouble at all and he willingly packed his bags to return to the hospital. He and Aissa will stay there together until we leave Monday morning. Aissa was over the moon to see him! I haven’t seen her smile this much in a long time. She kept pulling everyone into their room to show them that her uncle had

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-90102536624710605752010-03-29T21:19:00.008+02:002010-03-30T23:01:10.176+02:00

I saw Aissa in the market today. She was walking toward me, her bottom lip sticking out, her chin lowered just a little. She tends to pout when she doesn’t get her own way, she has become a bit spoiled during her time with us, perhaps someone didn’t give her something she wanted? She had sand on the side of her face, and I brushed it away and stood with her for a moment. Were the other kids

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-78468141797712971132010-03-12T21:27:00.016+01:002010-03-13T22:53:13.958+01:00

Jacqueline and I went to visit Mama Bello this afternoon. Recently her sister Didja was hospitalized. Didja’s chest xray shows severe disease, with an ominous shadow taking over her entire left lung. Our diagnostic capabilities exhausted, we aren’t sure what to do but pray. I helped to care for Mama's daughter Djanatou during Djanatou's hysterectomy in 2008. Mama refers to me as a “

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-4785408780293193802010-03-12T21:15:00.006+01:002010-03-13T22:56:51.237+01:00

Samuel has AIDS. He was hospitalized from November of 2009 to January of 2010 with a collapsed lung due to TB. Despite continuous efforts to drain the fluid that fills up his chest, it collects again, the lung will not reinflate and the TB meds don’t seem to be helping. In addition, he has a connective tissue cancer common to patients with AIDS that has started to cause his face and lips to

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-23911822543113538292010-03-08T20:53:00.002+01:002010-03-08T22:20:48.492+01:00

I’m doing research tonight. One of my patients Ousmane, a tired teenage boy who is hospitalized for the second time since the beginning of the year has had to undergo approximately 7 blood transfusions. Apparently his bone marrow is tired too, and has stopped making red and white blood cells and platelets. The result is profound anemia, fevers due to the attack on his immune system, and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-43704382561741629122010-02-21T22:00:00.003+01:002010-02-21T22:16:09.231+01:00

Aissa's tentative operation date is April 19-21st. At this time we will be traveling to Lome, Togo where the ship is currently located. The Africa Mercy, our home for the months of April/May! A cool bath on a hot day! Not much longer and she won't fit in this tub! Thanks for all your prayers! I will keep you updated! God bless, Sarah

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-13651669531054286802010-02-21T21:42:00.007+01:002010-03-05T17:54:18.996+01:00

The following is an excerpt from my personal journal. "Soureyatou was admitted in the beginning of January after giving birth 4 months previous. From the very beginning of her hospitalization, we were mystified by her strange mix of symptoms. It was obvious that she had heart failure in addition to a pulmonary infection and we debated as to whether or not to begin TB treatment. I went with

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-24883778685493172752009-12-27T13:06:00.005+01:002009-12-27T13:39:22.277+01:00

Our team was so pleased to receive your most recent gifts! Andy and Kari say thank you for their coffee! The kids, Josiah and Elizabeth really liked their new toothbrushes, Lightening McQueen is Josiah's favorite! Scott and Lee were amazed at their HUGE bag of M&Ms! Ever the chocoholic, Dave was so pleased with his goodies. I'm sure he'll share with Patsy:-) Jumbo bag! Danny and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-35318897907203968582009-12-16T22:23:00.004+01:002009-12-16T22:32:07.372+01:00

There is no one like Him. Not a new concept, perhaps, but one that was driven home during my time in Africa. What did I learn? What did God teach me? That He is to be praised, adored, honored and glorified. That He is worthy of this praise, because there is no one like Him. He created a way back to Himself, we are reconciled to Him. What an incredible gift. Nothing else compares. On my

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-57808693471983285392009-10-30T17:11:00.001+01:002009-10-30T17:13:34.193+01:00

This morning, before the start of our staff meeting I approached Dr. Jacqueline. I was hoping to ask her to see one of my patients before she left the hospital that day. However, rather than launching right into my request, I stopped myself and said “How are you?” She laughed and both she and the nursing supervisor stated that I was truly “Cameroonian”:-) One of the most difficult things

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-27448261611251906952009-10-19T14:29:00.009+02:002009-10-19T15:49:29.246+02:00

Last May, while passing by the pharmacy, I noticed a woman and small child. The child's head was wrapped in a dirty rag and she was covered with flies. Knowing that this case was serious, I asked the woman to bring the girl to my office. Upon removing the rag, I found a huge sore extending from the eye, which was swollen shut, down to the jaw and from the corner of the lips back to her ear.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-73623282352613604062009-09-25T23:09:00.010+02:002009-09-26T00:05:17.435+02:00

Thanks again to Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek for your amazing generosity! The gifts you sent for the pediatric patients were a huge hit! Each packet included a toothbrush and toothpaste, school supplies, 30 days of multivitamins, snacks, coloring pages and crayons and a stuffed animal! Aaron and Rabea, missionary kids on our compound and their teacher Marike helped to put everything

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-29514059703524695422009-09-19T16:10:00.003+02:002009-09-19T16:40:00.543+02:00

Your packages arrived at the beginning of this month! It was like Christmas as I pulled office supplies, snacks and candies, lotions and soaps out of the box. Your generosity is amazing and I am greatly enjoying my goodies! The letters from the kids were especially sweet. Please assure them I am quite safe from all of the wild animals:-) Me with all my loot:-) I requested hand sanitizer

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-25100124912392078892009-07-12T17:34:00.012+02:002009-07-12T18:40:26.844+02:00

Thank you CCBC! The last gift distribution in the pediatrics ward at the end of May was a real hit! This month's packets included color pages, school supplies, dental care items and of course, candy! Rachel, a visiting medical student from England and Josie, a nursing student from the states helped to distribute your gifts to the kids. This is a photo of one of our neonatal

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-80171200269669602152009-06-23T12:47:00.005+02:002009-06-23T22:50:02.526+02:00

About a month ago, while heading out of the dispensary, I spotted a very ill woman waiting to get her vital signs taken. When I returned, she was sitting outside the doctor's office, head propped on the doorway, obviously exhausted. Not wanting her to wait long, I found her medical chart and brought her to my office. Her abdomen was hugely swollen, greater than that of a 9 month pregnant

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-15746801288563006452009-06-21T15:26:00.005+02:002009-06-23T22:51:22.479+02:00

In a recent blog post on May 17th, I thanked Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek for their generosity in providing school supplies and multivitamins to our pediatric patients. I also mentioned Hamidou Goni, a malnourished infant who was hospitalized at the time. With the loving involvment of one of our missionaries, the boy's caretaker Amagaena was taught how to use formula to feed Hamidou Goni.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-14219444175847436632009-05-26T22:51:00.004+02:002009-05-26T23:00:13.596+02:00

This afternoon a couple came bustling into my office carrying a well-looking yet irritable child. They promptly produced xrays from the nearby regional hospital and stated that the baby girl had swallowed a coin. The xrays did indeed show a coin stuck in the esophagus so I escorted the anxious trio to the OR. Once the mother and child were comfortably settled in the examination room, I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-64312350662763263182009-05-17T13:47:00.007+02:002009-05-17T14:22:49.187+02:00

Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Battle Creek, led by my good friends Rick and Chris Gorham has partnered with the Medical Centers of West Africa for the second time by sending gifts of school supplies, multivitamins and toys for the patients in the pediatrics ward. Their generosity is such a blessing. Below is the thank you letter I sent them. Thank you Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek!The last boxes

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-55843542036842175142009-04-29T20:54:00.004+02:002009-04-29T21:00:34.725+02:00

Yesterday on my way home from work I passed one of my coworkers sitting amongst a flock of chickens. Since this is a fairly abnormal sight on our missionary compound, I asked him what he was doing. He told me he had just purchased the chickens in town as food for the upcoming Labor Day celebrations on Friday. Labor Day is a hugely popular holiday here in Cameroon complete with downtown parade

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-65234998784787512452009-03-30T21:21:00.005+02:002009-04-02T22:30:42.045+02:00

One year of work had passed and I was ready for my first official vacation! So, after making plans with some friends in the south of Cameroon, I packed up and headed to the capital city. I'll admit I was a bit nervous to use a Cameroonian airline, but God was faithful and my plane trips went quite smoothly. Everything went off without a hitch and even though I was still tempted to look out

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-61758450859000598252009-02-18T20:36:00.003+01:002009-02-18T20:40:44.961+01:00

I saw Moussa (a patient from my previous entry entitled "Moussa") again today during one of his visits to the hospital. He was walking without crutches and told me that his leg and foot were doing great. If I wasn't familiar with his medical history, I never would have known he was wearing prostheses. He then hopped on his bike and rode home:-)

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-32547139985891972862009-02-01T17:14:00.002+01:002009-02-01T17:19:28.224+01:00

Just recently a friend asked me for more stories of God's healings at the hospital. Here are a few accounts which took place after last Thursday's prayer rounds. Last week a woman was hospitalized whose chest xray showed significant infection in the base of both lungs. We suspected fluid accumulation but a needle aspiration of the lung was not successful. Her tests for TB were negative.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-10472766377306589492009-01-24T00:28:00.000+01:002009-01-24T00:29:15.572+01:00

This morning one of my patients came in complaining of pain on the right side of her body after she fell from a camel approximately one year ago. This was the second “fall from a camel” complaint I have received:-)

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-11371928461392656182009-01-20T20:55:00.003+01:002009-01-24T00:20:51.884+01:00

Yesterday while conducting rounds in the men's ward, I came across a 16 year old boy who was shockingly ill. He lie on his bed, trembling uncontrollably, saliva pouring from his mouth, as his sweet father looked at me pleadingly, not understanding what was happening to his son. He stated his son, Fidele, suddenly collapsed in his room that morning and began to convulse. He lost control of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-69990097907430534512009-01-01T16:56:00.002+01:002009-01-01T17:05:10.219+01:00

This article, written by Matthew Parris for "The Times" December 27th, 2008 is stunning. I thought I would share it with you. Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-77114552269645728182008-12-25T20:55:00.008+01:002008-12-25T21:33:10.570+01:00

This week has been busy with Christmas festivities! Monday I worked a very full day. The clinic was spilling over with people, but everything went well. Tuesday I was invited by Patsy and Dave to the local arts and culture exhibition taking place in the nearby town of Maroua. It is an annual celebration held in a different locale every year. Apparently it is quite well known and the president

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-18324580291690114972008-12-21T14:49:00.005+01:002008-12-23T22:10:12.464+01:00

Merry Christmas friends and family! It seems strange to be writing this letter when it is currently 90 degrees and sunny outside! I must admit I miss the snow, but I anticipate celebrating Christmas here in Cameroon. Since my arrival last January, so much has happened. Work continues to go well. Every morning, I conduct ward rounds, moving from bed to bed, visiting each hospitalized patient. In

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-33596178989549155152008-12-15T22:13:00.005+01:002008-12-15T22:24:53.840+01:00

Today was a difficult day. I was in the middle of rounds, hidden by the screens surrounding a patient's bed, when a nurse entered the ward. He could not see me and asked the nurse nearby if the “nazara” was doing the round. He knows who I am and usually greets me by name to my face. I stuck my head around the screen and told him that indeed, the “white woman” was doing the round. This

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-67916730013784141952008-12-01T20:11:00.003+01:002008-12-01T20:20:53.925+01:00

I love my grandma. Since I left the United States in the spring of 2006, she has written to me every month, and every month I wait in anticipation, searching my mailbox for her letter. She tells me about the beautiful sunny weather, the walk she took that morning, her new perm, about going shopping with my aunt and mom. She fills me in on the trips she has taken to visit our family,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-48612453267354312642008-11-21T19:03:00.002+01:002008-11-21T19:07:33.033+01:00

Every morning, while rounding in the wards, I keep a list of notes, my “to do list” for the patients. Often I jot things down such as “talk with physical therapy” or “check on chest xray”. However, today I had an unusual entry...“flip flops” Moussa is a leprosy patient from a neighboring village who came in last month with a very serious sore on his right foot. Leprosy, which leads to nerve

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-6962020210637080372008-10-08T20:33:00.003+02:002008-11-21T19:13:28.455+01:00

This evening I saw a woman who complained of infertility because at the age of 48 she had not become pregnant since giving birth to her eighth child 2 years ago. If that's infertility, then I'm Santa Claus. I congratulated her on her eight living children, reassured her that nothing was wrong and sent her home:-)

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-31501575238079748322008-09-18T23:51:00.003+02:002008-09-21T00:33:16.543+02:00

Someone recently asked me “what is it like to live in West Africa?” My initial response was...”I don't really know”. This question is huge, there is no one answer. So here goes... I have become accustomed to bleaching my veggies to kill parasites, sleeping under mosquito netting, thinking of malaria each time I get a headache, the call to prayer of the local mosque, the lizard that lives on

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-60504810564878603002008-09-15T21:17:00.005+02:002008-09-15T21:29:47.499+02:00

This morning during rounds, the doctor and I started ward 3 together. I saw and greeted the husband of one of my previous patients. His wife was back in the hospital a 3rd time in 2 months for respiratory difficulty. In all of my dealings with this couple they have shown intelligence and understanding, patience and kindness. However, this morning, the husband was obviously concerned and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-37365430362624195072008-09-11T23:08:00.000+02:002008-09-11T23:10:02.814+02:00

There is so much pain here. There are so many seriously ill people. Sometimes I wonder how much a body can take. Just recently I escorted one of my patients into the operating room and stared in shock as he was placed on the table. Naked, feverish and emaciated, he was mumbling something that didn't make sense. He was a pitiful, wretched sight. It will be a miracle if he survives. The only

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-48446533562960590282008-08-15T16:44:00.010+02:002009-07-12T17:33:57.628+02:00

Here in our part of Cameroon, most of the women wear "pagnes" which consist of a wrap-around cotton skirt with matching blouse, head cover and shoulder wrap. The colors are crazy and the patterns can be quite amusing. I have decided to keep a list of the different patterns I have seen. This list will be updated periodically:-) Here goes... 1. cellular phones 2. perfume

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-80365973546858329492008-08-15T16:35:00.002+02:002008-08-15T16:43:01.646+02:00

Today during morning rounds, I came across a patient that was newly admitted. The examining nurse had written in the chart that she had multiple necrotic sores on her foot. In addition a blood sugar test showed that she is more than likely diabetic. After perusing the chart I then asked to see the foot. She began to unwrap her homemade bandage of cotton strips to reveal that almost her entire

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-2421201555946125502008-08-14T21:48:00.001+02:002008-08-14T21:49:53.366+02:00

This evening was prayer rounds. Upon walking in to the OB ward, my prayer partner and I encountered immediate resistance. I tried to strike up a conversation with a mother who was taking care of her sick infant. She did not smile, barely acknowledged my presence and refused to talk to me. I continued my attempts and even went so far as to call the nurse over to care for the child's IV, but to no

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-53357207143131461182008-08-13T20:34:00.001+02:002008-08-13T20:36:12.037+02:00

One of my patients, a young woman of approximately 16 is currently hospitalized due to recurrent high fevers and a severe pulmonary infection. When multiple different antibiotics resulted in little to no improvement, we moved to the diagnosis of tuberculosis and began treatment. However, this morning, while preparing to do rounds on the ward, I was told that this patient was again running a very

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-33337235108018265662008-07-20T00:05:00.002+02:002008-07-20T00:08:16.791+02:00

I would just like to make it known that since my arrival 6 months ago, two of my friends have become pregnant, a third friend will have her baby in the fall, another four have gotten married and two have gotten engaged. Keep praying people...

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-32547868905435690322008-07-18T19:58:00.013+02:002008-07-19T23:49:01.314+02:00

Today started like any other, I woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast and headed out the door with my bag of books. I got set up in my office and began to receive patient charts. Patient #1 was a young widow with complaints of lower abdominal pain. During our time I found out that her husband died of an unknown, mysterious illness. We ordered a number of exams including an abdominal

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-71343675377138234572008-07-08T22:20:00.008+02:002008-07-08T22:45:33.288+02:00

I don't know what possessed me to wait and proceed with my first blood donation upon arrival in West Africa, but that is precisely what happened. You'd think I would have done a practice round on my home turf, but nothing doing...let me just say they didn't give me a cookie and orange juice afterward:-) Upon working with Dr. Jacqueline Koster at the beginning of the week, I met a young

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-68599674562247169042008-07-08T22:09:00.004+02:002008-07-08T22:17:51.015+02:00

During my past 4 months of work in the clinic, I have made certain little observations. Life is so different here, I try not to take anything for granted. I have become a pro at pronouncing most of the names of my patients, such as Fadimatou, Ousmanou, Fatime and Aissatou. I also know that “Mht” is a very convenient way of abbreviating “Mohammet” and that Hamadou indicates the eldest son of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-22035485548523411452008-06-13T23:45:00.005+02:002008-06-14T00:10:59.005+02:00

I went into the clinic today to find that our supervisor was attending a funeral for his sister who was a long time AIDS patient. She had just been hospitalized two months previous for overwhelming infections. This week I have diagnosed 3 different individuals with AIDS. I open the envelope, read the test results, and wonder how I am going to break the news. It's that precious moment between

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-42310870027258201002008-05-23T12:41:00.004+02:002008-05-23T12:53:36.016+02:00

Today as I was walking through the crowded dispensary, dodging feet and knees, trying not to step on anyone, I felt someone take my hand. I stopped and looked behind me and there was a little boy, returning my gaze. I said hello and we just stood there a minute, hand in hand. I think he was fascinated by the color of my skin and I was happy to oblige his curiosity. During one of my visits to

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-78245355021877320102008-05-15T21:39:00.003+02:002008-05-15T21:46:09.883+02:00

Each morning, before starting work in the clinic, I complete rounds in the hospital. This means reviewing vital signs, lab results, medications etc on each patient in the ward. This week I am in pediatrics, here are my patients... Bed 4 contains a little boy of 7 who currently has significant fluid accumulation in his abdomen. We think it may be due to liver failure, but we aren't sure and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-52322654547325979032008-04-26T23:41:00.004+02:002008-04-27T00:20:55.827+02:00

We lost a pediatric patient. He struggled and suffered until finally dying a week after his admission. We did every test we could think of and placed him on appropriate antibiotics. However, the cause of infection remained a mystery and in the end, we were unable to save him. The family was gathered throughout the week in a silent vigil until one morning when they seemed to just disappear.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-87593663544380954032008-04-17T21:19:00.000+02:002008-04-17T21:22:08.441+02:00

I started work at the hospital this week. I am enjoying myself, happy to be back in the swing of things after a year of language study. I missed medicine, although I am finding things much different over here! I never imagined myself working in a clinic where TB, AIDs and Malaria would be some of the most common illnesses, where I would need to wipe my face with my handkerchief during the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-20355953762194164982008-04-05T13:29:00.002+02:002008-04-05T13:32:29.300+02:00

I dread walking over to the hospital. It happens every time, I get up to the gate and begin to open it, I step onto hospital grounds and my heart starts beating faster. I am suddenly very conscious of my clothes, hair, skin and I want to run away. I begin to walk past the buildings and everyone stares. This is no exaggeration, here, staring is perfectly normal. All heads swivel in my

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-21889562290486582332008-03-20T17:49:00.002+01:002008-03-20T17:52:07.895+01:00

Hello Everyone! Just a note to let you all know that anyone can comment on any of my blog entries. I love feedback and would be greatly encouraged to know that you have been enjoying my efforts. Thanks! Sarah

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-28710263942292150072008-03-20T17:46:00.001+01:002008-03-21T23:05:03.444+01:00

During my two months here, I have encountered something that I naively did not expect. Just below the surface of many relationships, implied by nonverbals and unspoken words, apparent in the looks of the occasional stranger, is a undercurrent of resentment because I am white. I don't fully understand the offense I have committed, I haven't been here long enough to wrap my mind around it. I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-62593890610211937582008-03-17T12:44:00.000+01:002008-03-17T12:45:52.077+01:00

I looked down at my feet yesterday and was surprised that they were white! After being around Africans for the past two months, some of my perceptions have changed. For example, church will last a minimum of three hours, there is no limit to how many people you can fit on a motorcycle and anything can be carried on the head....anything. Chicken is rarely worth the work to eat it, since the poor

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-73115720972704213632008-03-07T17:21:00.004+01:002008-03-07T17:28:30.672+01:00

Today was a good day. My language tutor was not able to make it to our lesson this morning. He told me that, if he was able to find enough help, he hoped to harvest his crop of millet. He planned on working all through the evening and stated that possibly he would be too tired for our meeting. I believe this qualifies as one of the most legitimate excuses I have ever received from a “prof”:-)

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-64624635460404025712008-02-17T22:29:00.006+01:002008-03-18T11:16:52.705+01:00

I just celebrated my first birthday in Africa! I have to say, it was definitely unique. I started the morning with my language tutor Adamu, and we had a great lesson. I am currently learning the local tribal language of Fulfulde and practiced constructing sentences like “Debbo oo don haa wuro Bogo” (This woman lives in the village of Bogo) Afterward I headed for the market that is located

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-57624620854635195642008-02-12T14:16:00.000+01:002008-02-12T14:20:25.989+01:00

Yesterday I went with Jacqueline to visit the mother of the little girl who died two weeks ago from rabies (see blog entry "Please Pray") They welcomed a new baby into their family just this past weekend, and we took baby clothes, soap and a few sweets to congratulate them. The baby has not yet been officially named, that will be done by formal ceremony. However, his parents are referring to

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-18375843093137014522008-02-12T14:08:00.000+01:002008-02-12T14:14:26.953+01:00

Yesterday was “la fete de la jeunesse” or the festival for the youth, here in Meskine. One of the year's most celebrated holidays, the streets were lined with people. Tabea, her daughter Naomi, and I did not arrive in time to get seats, but when the chief's brother saw us, he escorted us to the front row! He works with Tabea's husband Martin at the hospital. We no sooner sat down than the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-55895265027613884092008-02-09T23:51:00.000+01:002008-02-09T23:52:41.949+01:00

Jacqueline, one of the doctors at our hospital, invited me to come with her to a community health function in a neighboring village. We bumped along a nearly impassable road as I held on for dear life, praying that our 4x4 wouldn't tip over. Upon arriving, a large group of women and children had already gathered under the shade of two trees. They had begun weighing their children using a scale

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-72818870173378149932008-02-09T18:41:00.000+01:002008-02-09T22:29:13.142+01:00

Yesterday evening as I was soaking my vegetables in bleach to kill any amoebas, I laughed at how my life has changed so drastically in just 3 weeks. I have almost gotten used to the sound of lizards skittering across my tin roof, the daily call to prayer that is broadcast from a mosque just next to my home and the nightly ritual of washing the day's dust from my feet. The village of Meskine is

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-53443333534629446902008-02-01T17:17:00.000+01:002008-02-01T17:27:14.251+01:00

This email was sent out by the wife of our director after a recent death at the hospital. Thank you in advance for your prayers - Sarah Dear Friends, We are writing to you with deep sadness in our hearts as the brothers and sisters from our local village church have experienced a terrible crisis. Last month, during a church service, the pastor’s dog began going after the children. Three of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-89234911435704063822008-01-26T08:03:00.000+01:002008-01-27T18:31:25.386+01:00

Thank you friends and family for waiting so patiently for news of my arrival. On the eve of Jan 19th, after being awake for approximately 28 hours, I arrived in N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad. During my flight I met an American missionary family who spoke Arabic, the local language, and they helped me to navigate passport checkpoints. Two members of my organization then met me at baggage

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-21121364057599129492007-12-12T23:29:00.000+01:002007-12-12T23:41:37.756+01:00

We have officially begun the countdown. I have less than one week before I leave France and that old familiar feeling has returned. The combination of excitement and sadness, like I am reaching out for someone while at the same time digging in my heels, being dragged forward against my will. No arguing with time... I have been well loved during my time here, it will be difficult to leave my

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-62367002062089596782007-12-12T18:04:00.000+01:002007-12-12T18:34:29.737+01:00

I have been visiting the paradoxuganda blog to gain information about the recent Ebola outbreak. I find the blog informative and eloquent, but the following post I found particularily amazing, and I wanted to share it with you. God in a Box "Reading Job this morning, and that’s what the book is about. Job’s friends try to put God in a box. If you do A, God will reward you with B. It is only in

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-43971073336547262192007-12-10T22:24:00.000+01:002007-12-11T22:38:45.376+01:00

Just yesterday my host family and I were discussing the conditions in Chad, a country in West Africa. Apparently there has been much rebel backlash as different members of the same family are struggling to obtain power. In addition, the Sudanese crisis has spilled over their eastern border and rebel groups in the north are currently holding a Christian missionary hostage. I will be flying into

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-17364029663511953712007-12-01T12:45:00.000+01:002007-12-01T13:11:04.907+01:00

This morning I got out of bed and limped my way into the bathroom. Prohibited from taking a shower until next week (horror) I took a birdbath, washed my hair in the sink and gave myself my first shot of blood thinner. I prepared my breakfast and was relieved to sit down and get off my throbbing leg. A short time later my host family drove me to the lab, where I completed my 4th blood draw in 3

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-82978008801789151912007-11-30T17:42:00.000+01:002007-11-30T22:13:39.903+01:00

Approximately two weeks ago I began researching varicose vein surgery here in France. I prayed, followed the open doors and ultimately left things up to God. Within this short period I saw the family doctor, the vascular specialist, the vascular surgeon, the cardiologist and the anesthesiologist. In addition I completed three rounds of lab exams and made multiple trips to the pharmacy. Upon

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-81271262605625590512007-10-26T22:49:00.000+02:002007-10-26T23:01:04.664+02:00

Today I spent some time talking with a French national who is currently working as a midwife in Africa. She has been there for a number of years and I wanted to pick her brain. We began talking about some of the most common illnesses in her region and the conversation quickly turned technical. There is some cross-over between the medical vocab in English and French because most of the words

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-61029952863719069702007-10-13T12:00:00.000+02:002007-10-16T16:33:37.628+02:00

Hello friends and family, I miss you all and hope you are well. Things are going great here in France, six months have flown by, summer has ended and I am thoroughly enjoying my favorite season, fall! How do you fit 22 students into 6 bedrooms? It is definitely a full house here in Brignais! Parents of five grown children, my hosts Marc and Léonie decided to open their home to…well…pretty much

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8546699128490339537.post-68594879335137600872007-08-31T10:59:00.000+02:002007-11-10T10:44:26.124+01:00

Hello family and friends! It is hard to believe I have already been in France for 3 months! Time has moved very quickly, and before you know it, I will be moving to Cameroon. This is not to say I don't greatly treasure my time in France. The past three months have been some of the most rewarding and revealing of my life. Alliance Francaise During the week I leave the house by 7:15am and arrive

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0